19 THE HUNT
Morning came with Altace’s return to the temple, bearing grim tidings. “There is fresh movement among the covens,” he reported to Malekh. “They’re headed back west, in our direction. They are becoming more brazen, making no attempt to hide themselves.”
“If they’ve been mobilizing since last night, then they would have arrived at the lake by now,” Xiaodan argued. “Unless they’ve become very adept at hiding themselves. Not likely, since there aren’t as many places in which to conceal themselves in the terrain just aboveground.”
“My father would have already been alerted to their actions if so,” Remy said. He, Elke, and Xiaodan sat within the adjoining room of the chambers he now shared with Xiaodan and Malekh. He was the only one of the three making use of the table as intended, wolfing down the breakfast fare. Malekh was absent, having left to consult with the high priestess on the defenses the Allpriory possessed.
“Certainly they’re up to no good, but I’m not going to entertain any speculations just yet without other information on hand.” Xiaodan cast a worried look at Remy. “Malekh thinks that you were able to pull us into your dreams due to the bloodsharing. But it wasn’t quick enough for me to take stock of where we were. You saw the empress standing before a burning village? Do you remember anything more beyond what you’ve already told us?”
“I didn’t have time to understand much of it.” Remy took a fortifying gulp of wine. The Antecedents had not questioned him when he’d asked for a bottle, though it was Elke, of all the hypocrites, who chided him for indulging so early in the day. “But it felt recent, like she was reacting to me as it happened. She didn’t initiate it.”
“What did the Night Empress see that startled her so? Did she say anything to you?” Elke asked.
Remy flushed. “It’s of no consequence—beside the point.” He glanced at Elke, who was looking at him a touch too serenely. “You know,” he said, resigned.
Elke convulsed into gentle laughter. “Even if I’d heard nothing, it’s quite obvious from your scent.”
Remy wanted to crawl under the table and die, because it was even worse than he imagined. “You heard us? You can smell it? I bloody bathed!”
“I’m sure your lovers were well enough aware of their surroundings to have defended themselves, should anything have happened, but Alegra and I nonetheless did a fairly good job, pointedly turning any vampires away from the great hall under the excuse of not interrupting the Hierarch and the Fourth Court leader at work.” Elke’s eyes gleamed. “Though I neglected to mention that you were what they were working on.”
“Alegra was there?”
“We tried to give you as much privacy as we could, given the circumstances. As Xiaodan is now the Fourth Court leader, even if only during our time here, Alegra insisted that she be afforded constant protection just like her mother. In fact, she’s standing outside the door right this instant, to discourage eavesdroppers.”
“You and Alegra have been spending more time with each other,” Xiaodan said with a smile. “I take it that you are reconciling whatever it is that troubled you two before?”
“Of a sort, yes,” Elke said, the slight pinkish cast on her cheeks saying everything.
“I’m glad to hear it. As to the matter regarding the Night Empress.” Xiaodan folded her arms and scowled. “I would like to believe for your sake that she intends no harm, Remy. But we must be prudent and assume that she is once again trying to infiltrate your dreams in a bid to win you to her side.”
“I’m not sure she is in as much command of this as you think,” Remy mumbled into his bread. “I had a vision of her digging her way out of her own grave, panicked and disoriented, and I do not think it was an attempt to deceive me. I felt her fear and bewilderment as if they were my own.”
“If she was revived shortly after her death, then she would have had twenty years to learn,” Xiaodan said. “Even if Wikaan do not remember their own vampires.”
“We should take advantage of my link to her. Getting into her mind could tell us where she is at the moment, even divine where she might strike next. It worked before.” Remy closed his eyes. “There was a statue,” he said, after several moments’ thought. “Of a flock of birds in midflight. It was partly razed by fire, but enough of it remained intact to recall it in my mind’s eye, even though I’ve never seen it before.”
Xiaodan was staring at him. “Verlouze,” she said promptly. “A village in Kerenai territory. That statue is the highlight of the town’s plaza, carved by an artisan who was born there. Ten birds with their feet tied to a carriage behind them, soaring through the air? Inspired by an old Kerenai fairy tale, as I recall.”
“Yes, although most of the carriage had not survived the flames.”
“That is proof enough.” Xiaodan stood. “I’ll need to talk to Altace.”
“How did you know, milady?” The man was astounded when Xiaodan asked. “I had only just returned from making a report to both the priestess and to the Hierarch, and I had spoken to no one else of it. Yes, Verlouze was the place the coven was last sighted at.”
“All the more reason for Pendergast to take his medication rather than letting it lapse another night,” Malekh said grimly when they found him next. “The temple clan may not have the same reach as Eugenie’s informants, but we should be informed early enough of her movements through their own sources without the need to endanger you.”
“Except you can learn of the Night Empress’s activity within minutes, as opposed to the hours it takes Altace to return,” Remy argued. “Light, Malekh, didn’t you say you could find a way to yank you and Xiaodan into my dreams so you could see for yourself?”
“What would be irresponsible is forcing you within reach of the Night Empress for her to compel you a second time,” Malekh said sternly.
“I don’t think she wants to compel me anymore. Not after that first time.” He had felt her horror and her guilt when he’d told her he had killed Naji because of her machinations.
You love them. It had not been an accusation, nor from anger. She had merely spoken the words as if she had not entertained the idea before.
“I cannot stake the well-being of everyone else here in the Allpriory on a maybe,” Malekh said after a pause. “We can attempt contact in a controlled environment of my choosing, with both my kindred and Xiaodan’s in attendance.”
Remy brightened. “Truly?”
“If it shall take that woebegone look off your face, then yes. I know you well enough. We can try it your way later, once preparations for the Allpriory’s defense have been completed. Isabella believes that the Night Empress will be attacking the village of Cardan soon enough, and that is only a hundred miles away—no large feat for a coven to traverse. While the other kindred have pledged to our cause, I would like to see them putting their words into action for true.”
“How did I look at him?” Remy asked after Malekh had gone.
Xiaodan grinned mischievously. “Like an adorable little puppy wanting his master’s attention. You don’t seem to be aware of it when you do that, but Zidan most certainly is.”
Puppy. The word she’d breathed into his ear last night.
Malekh’s had been not quite as innocent-sounding, filthier somehow. Pet.
Remy swallowed.
“Are you sure about this?” Xiaodan asked, mind already on a different track. “I trust you, Remy. But I can’t trust her.”
“This is the best option we have, and you know it.”
Xiaodan wrinkled her nose at him. “Incidentally, they found the vampire that your father uses as his messenger. He waited at the lake’s edge for close to an hour, taking no pains at all to hide himself.”
“Of course he would learn the Allpriory’s location,” Remy muttered.
“He did bring us news confirming the covens’ occupation at Cardan. We know now why they’ve taken some time to get here—your father’s army has been engaging them, slowing down their progress.”
Remy tensed. “Is he all right?”
“The messenger swears Lord Pendergast was hale and hearty when he left. Malekh intends to lead a small contingent to render assistance to the Alurians. He would prefer that you stay here at the temple, but he also knows you have every right to accompany us if you wish to.”
“You already know my answer.” His leg jiggled underneath the table. He didn’t want to worry for his father, but…
“I know.” Xiaodan’s smile was bright and unwavering. “I’ve already laid out your Reaper clothes on our bed. It’s about time the other kindred saw just how well you use Breaker.”
REMY’S ASCENT to the lake’s surface was just as nerve-wracking as when he’d been dragged down with Malekh. He broke through the waters sputtering and gasping, grateful when the lord towed him firmly back to shore rather than let him flounder alone. It wasn’t quite the best impression to make in front of the other clans, especially when decked out in Reaper black, but Remy let himself be pulled toward to firmer ground with as much dignity as he could muster.
The helhests were waiting for them, fortunately; having to cling to Malekh’s back while they charged into battle would have killed what little remaining respect for him they had.
Peanut kept pace with the other vampires as they tore through the plains. The Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Court leaders had sent representatives from their respective courts to aid them, including their seconds-in-command: an easygoing kindred named Krylla who served as Hylasenth’s right-hand woman; a Seventh Court giant named Grager, and Si Daoming. Elke and Alegra had chosen to remain behind to guard the Lady Rotteburg, while the kindred leaders preferred to remain behind and observe before truly committing themselves to the cause.
Reassured that his mother was in good hands, Lorien Tattersall had insisted on accompanying them, and Xiaodan promised to keep an eye on him.
“My mother talked a lot about you,” the Second Court leader said after they’d stopped briefly to get their bearings.
“She did?” Remy asked, taken aback.
“She never thought that you were a true cambion, although some of the court in Elouve said so.” The boy’s eyes were shining. “And still you held your head high, never shirking from the responsibilities and duties laid out before you. She said you were someone that I should aspire after.”
That nearly bowled Remy over, given how brusque and suspicious she’d always been of him back in the city. “Ah,” was all he managed to say.
“I heard about what happened.” Lorien flushed. “The mob at Elouve, what they tried to do. It was my mother’s greatest fear, to be discovered that way and have me come to harm. I am sorry.”
“You defended your home—and her—valiantly,” Remy said. “And that you are here speaks much of your character. I’m glad to have you with us.”
The youth smiled. “Lord Malekh has been most kind. He offered me use of his other Third Court territories while I decide where to build my own clan. Fighting by his side is the least I can do. But I should let you rest.” He bowed awkwardly, and Remy watched him leave. “You see a bit of him in the boy, too, don’t you?” he muttered, though Malekh couldn’t hear.
It was no more than an hour later when they crested a small hill and beheld the Alurian army camped below. The tents and the state of their campfires indicated they’d been gathered there at least half a day, though none of the soldiers seem any worse for wear. There was a larger contingent of Reapers now than before. Garbed in their black coats, they lingered on the edges of the camp, on the lookout for any signs of attack.
He’d been hoping that his father would forgo the use of any more mutations, but his hopes were dashed when he spotted Grimesworthy lurking just outside of the periphery of the camp, motionless, like some great tree trunk sprouted on the ground. With him were two dozen more of Quintin Yost’s experiments, just as unmoving and even more repugnant, their lack of humanity obvious in their flayed limbs and tumors, shunted as far away from camp as the soldiers dared.
A few Reapers spotted them and called out an alarm, and within moments the camp was a flurry of activity: hunters snatching up their fire lances, soldiers scrambling for swords and bows. From one of the larger tents a man emerged, and even from this distance, Remy recognized his father.
“Stand down!” Lord Pendergast called out calmly. “This is not an attack, these are reinforcements!”
Many of the Reapers paused, unwilling to give up their weapons now that they were on hand, but Xiaodan was quick enough to head off any unpleasantries. She blurred back into view right before the encampment, keeping just outside the boundaries, radiating a harmlessness that Remy knew better than to believe. “Lord High Steward,” she greeted. “When we received word of your encounters with the First Night coven, we wanted to rush to your aid in all due haste.”
Remy’s father laughed. “We fended them off well enough. Without their accursed witch they posed little danger to us, though more to bolster our ranks will always be welcomed.” He gestured again, and his fighters reluctantly lowered their weapons. “I trust, then, that your council has been successful?”
“That remains to be seen, Lord Pendergast,” Grager said abruptly. He, too, remained outside the circle of Alurians, eyeing them warily. “I am Grager, second to Lord Armaros of the Seventh. I’ve never met the Night Empress myself, but I am here to test her mettle, and yours as allies. Whether or not this becomes a more permanent agreement will depend on what you do next.”
Lord Pendergast raised an eyebrow, unintimidated. “A step in the right direction, for as long as you do not get in our way. We hold no love for kindred as you well know, Lord Grager, but I am willing to set aside our differences for as long as you fight with us against the First Court. I mean to destroy the Night Empress, with you or without.”
“Then we are, for the moment, in accord,” Daoming said cheerfully, stepping in before Grager could utter another word, with Krylla at his heels. “Felicitations, Duke of Valenbonne. I am Si Daoming of the Court of Cultivation, and my companion here is Krylla of the Court of Pleasures. You must forgive our abrupt companion. We were surprised to find a vampire under your employ, and that he was well aware of the location of our council.” He paused, as if choosing his next words carefully. “Some of the other kindred had gone so far as to venture that your young son has been supplying you with information of our activities.”
Lord Pendergast snorted. “I would be a very incompetent lord high steward indeed if I had not been able to ferret out information through other means. To your credit, we would not have found your temple at all had these not been… more interesting times, shall we say, and I am sure you have protocols in place to dissuade us from exploring further. I have not had contact with my son since his departure from the Third Court’s domain, but I do employ skilled scouts. Enough to know that the Sixth Court has been populating the villages from here to Elouve with kindred pretending to be mortal, keeping track of my army’s movements as we traveled west.”
Daoming showed neither agitation nor concern at that. “I am impressed. Though I must confess that there is nothing standard about those great hulks you have guarding your camp.”
“Oh, those old things?” Lord Pendergast asked with a lazy wave of his hand. “Just a few odds and ends we picked up along the way. Quite a burden to bring along, if I may be frank, and a reasonable cause of concern among my own men, but more than worth the trouble. One more vampire dying at their hands is one less for my soldiers to handle.” He chuckled. “You’ll get used to them in time. I am as ever grateful that you would rush to our assistance, milord, but we have, unfortunately, seen neither hide nor hair of the enemy since yesterday. The covens that rushed to attack us are fewer in number than those we encountered in Kerenai, though the men I have left stationed within Hallifax’s kingdom tells me that they have seen even fewer. At any rate, Yost has returned to Elouve to develop more mutations, should they be needed.”
“We have reason to despise the Night Empress ourselves,” Daoming said. “She has been responsible for many atrocities committed in and around Situ, and my mistress is not one to take such matters lightly. We are not without our own scouts, who suggest that a heavier contingent is set to make landfall along these parts soon enough. Until we are able to corroborate such reports, we would be more than pleased to offer you our company—within reasonable distance of your own camps.”
“I think that would be best. I am most pleased to see that kindred can be just as noble as one from the Alurian court.” Lord Pendergast gazed at the scowling Grager.
The Seventh’s second-in-command grunted, heels clicking together as he shifted into a soldier’s stance. “We, too, pledge ourselves to defend the Alurians—for now.” And with that threat, he spun around to return to where the others from his clan stood waiting.
“It seems that you have found yourself in quite esteemed company, Lady Song,” Lord Pendergast remarked.
“Don’t I know it,” Xiaodan said wearily.
“I must confess,” Krylla said conversationally, “that I have never found myself allied with the Alurian army before. My sire bade me commend Your Grace for the efforts he has undertaken to ensure that the covens in Kerenai are put down as swiftly as possible. As his territory adjoins King Hallifax’s to the north, he has been just as determined to slay the Night Empress’s minions from the other end of the kingdom.”
“It is my honor to have helped alleviate his problems in however small a capacity,” the duke said wryly.
“He is also quite taken with your son, Lord Valenbonne. He was pleased to learn that the practice of familiars is being looked upon with more favor in Aluria, despite the misunderstandings that have stemmed from the past. Had Lord Malekh and Lady Song not claimed him so thoroughly, he would have been moved to make an offer himself.”
Inexperienced as Remy was with intrigue, he recognized the bait for what it was. He felt Xiaodan pause beside him, though not so tense that it gave her away. For his part, he let himself relax.
“Did he now,” said Valenbonne, somehow managing to convey a sword’s blade despite the calm of his tone. He allowed a faint quirk of his eyebrows, as if pondering why Krylla would need ask him such a trite question.
“I have yet to see him in a fight myself, though if he comports himself in the same way, I would be more than impressed. Fierce as he is, he is quite the docile little thing at Lady Song’s feet, and it’s quite a beautiful thing to see. The noises he makes in the throes are quite exquisite. That weapon strapped across his back is enough to give one nightmares, however. I’m told you wielded it yourself enough times in the past. The Seventh in particular has crossed blades with it and knows the names of every kindred to have fallen before your blade.”
“As well as we know the names of every Reaper and hunter who have gone down from a vampire’s bite,” Valenbonne said. “Which is why it is a fine day to cast those differences aside and take down another that poses a far greater danger.”
“Yes,” Krylla conceded. “On that, we are of one mind. I only thought to warn you, Lord Valenbonne, that there are some among the clans discontented by this turn of events—those who would rather seek to treaty with the Night Empress than look to the Alurians as allies. I speak for the Eighth when I say that we have no intentions of breaking our oath, but it would do well to stay on guard. As things stand, we cannot let our alliance falter, lest everything else descend into chaos.”
“It seems you have yet to rein in some of the more dangerous members of your council, if this kindred’s words are to be believed,” Lord Valenbonne said once the Eighth Court vampire had walked away.
“It’s not so easy as it sounds,” Remy found himself snapping before Malekh could say a word. “She’s trying to warn you of the Seventh and his clan.”
“Not just the Seventh. I suspect that some of her own kindred are of the same mind as Lord Raghnall, though diplomacy prevents her from saying so aloud. They will honor their vows for today, but tomorrow may demand a different treaty.” He smiled grimly at the look on Remy’s face. “Did you not think I would be aware of their leaders’ names? Raghnall of the Seventh, Hylasenth of the Eighth, Fanglei of the Sixth. And Queen Yingyue, of course. The Marquess of Riones is a competent administrator. He has put Astonbury’s chaos into some semblance of order, has selected the best runners to draw more information as we can about these courts.” He nodded at one of his aides, who went scurrying off. “We will need to speak of how we shall be coordinating our efforts with what little light still remains, Lord Malekh.”
“I will leave you two to your discussion, then.” Xiaodan placed a hand on Remy’s arm. “Shall we?”
Remy nodded. He had so many things he still wanted to say to his father, but no idea how to go about it.
But Lord Pendergast only nodded briefly to him, dismissing him immediately. The bow he presented to Xiaodan was low and florid.
“It strikes me that he is embarrassed, just as much as you,” Xiaodan said, once they were out of sight.
“I have never seen him ashamed of anything, and I doubt that he would start now.”
Xiaodan hummed thoughtfully but said nothing else.
The kindred were wise enough not to draw nearer to the camp despite their newfound alliance, but Xiaodan had no such compunctions. She strode past the tents like it was she who was their commanding leader, and not even the Reapers dared stop her. A few even went so far as to mutter “milady” when they were within hearing. It wasn’t much, but Remy, who had been expecting hostility, was relieved by the bare minimum they were providing.
The only real friendly face among the soldiers was the Marquess of Riones, who sprang to his feet with a wide smile when he caught sight of them, all but tripping over himself in his eagerness. “You’re a fine sight to see, old friend,” he said cheerfully enough, but Remy saw the bloody smears on his boots and the rips in his coat. Anthony Castellblanc was very particular about his clothes and would never suffer for them to be in this condition.
“Bloody Light, Riones,” he said. “My father said all you’d had were light skirmishes, but that isn’t the case, is it?”
Riones gave an embarrassed shrug, like he’d somehow been found wanting. “It was, at first. Pockets of coven few enough not to cause undue worry when we were in Kerenai. But Lord Valenbonne thought the scarcity in numbers meant they were merely distractions and gave the order to pack up. Hallifax finally pulled his head out of his ass enough to muster some kind of defense beyond his capital, and your father thought not even the king’s soldiers could muck it up.” He looked around. “Still don’t know why he chose this place to bog us down at. Not quite Aluria, is it? A bit north past her borders, but not quite anyone else’s territory, either. Nothing of note here, though it’s a good place to see incoming attacks. No woods to speak of, flat plains save for that small hill over yonder.”
“Your commander is a wise man who knows his history,” Xiaodan said dryly. “This place has served as neutral grounds many times in the past between human and kindred, though I’m told those cease-fires never last long.”
“Truly? They never tell us any of that in Reaper training,” Riones confessed, scratching at his beard.
“Those truces were few and far between. I only know of them because it was Zidan who arranged for half of those stalemates, and it was how his court and Aluria’s got to talking in the first place.” Xiaodan glanced around at the other soldiers nearby, who were intent on not looking their way. “Is there anything about those covens you can tell me without receiving censure from Lord Valenbonne?”
The man guffawed out loud. “I’ll tell you gladly, milady. If Valenbonne’s right, then you might have to face them with us soon enough. The covens all wore scarlet robes, as expected, but many of them were young—far too young. Remy, do you remember all those reports you received about children going missing?”
“Surely you don’t think—”
“Ah, but I do. Once I made the connection, I started looking through some of the files you’ve already perused, and even more that you hadn’t had the opportunity to. Not all of the cases were abductions. A disturbing number of runaways, for instance. I sent some of my men over to interview those families, and they admitted that many of those boys and girls were not happy with their home life for a variety of reasons, many of them heartbreaking. It took a lot not to punch a few of those parents in the face, knowing what I knew.”
Hadn’t Vasilik done the same? He’d boasted of taking in children for his court who’d been mistreated by their families. It pissed Remy off that the man had, for once, told the truth.
“Your father won’t say it out loud, Remy,” Riones went on, “but he’s worried about you and happy that you’ve all arrived to help, as much as he’ll insist the Alurian army have come well prepared. We’ve even seen a few of those bloody faces they’ve been hiding under their cowls. We’ve even sketched out some of the ringleaders—”
“Incoming kindred!” The shout echoed across the campsite. “We’re under attack!”
Riones grabbed for his fire lance and Remy drew out Breaker. Xiaodan, as always, was faster; she reappeared on the other side of the encampment, where soldiers were already leveling their weapons at the hooded vampires that came hurtling forward… bringing the Rot with them. They were huge, lumbering creatures, perhaps two dozen in total, and though they lagged by the enemies’ rear, they were moving far more quickly than Remy would’ve liked.
He heard his father cursing loudly even as he began to issue orders, saw the other kindred engaging with the vanguard. Reluctant as some of the clans had been to offer aid, they attacked in full force, meeting the crimson-clad kindred without hesitation.
But unlike the reports they received and Riones’s own account of their recent battles, there were far too many vampires, as if the Night Empress had finally committed to a full-scale attack. Remy saw Malekh in the lead, cutting down foes before turning to deal with the mutations. Valenbonne’s own thralls were lumbering forward to meet their coven counterparts, and there was a roar of triumph as Grimesworthy ripped one mutation’s head from its many necks.
“Shit,” Remy said, and ran.